SPI buys 4K opera for Funbox

Channel operator SPI has acquired a 4K production of La Bohème for its ultra HD channel Funbox.

The filming of the Pucini opera was overseen by Italian movie director Ettore Scola.

The show has been licensed from DBW Communication, which produced it alongside Italian pubcaster Rai.

“We are thrilled to present this stunning cinematic opera in the Ultra HD resolution on our Funbox 4K UHD channel,” said Berk Uziyel, executive director of FilmBox International.

“We are also glad to have acquired Andrea Palladio: the Architect of Beauty, another 4K production from the DBW portfolio, which perfectly fits the profile of our new channel.”

Giuliano Berretta, president of DBW, added: “I am very happy that SPI international has acquired the rights for La Bohème for their new 4K channel, which will be the first commercial 4K channel on [the] Eutelsat Hot Bird satellite receivable in Europe and the Middle East.

“I am also proud of the acquisition of the 4K production Andrea Palladio: the Architect of Beauty, where the 4K techniques are combined with the utilisation of drones to produce a unique 4K production.”

SPI’s 4K channel launched earlier this year and is programmed with feature, films and docs and there are plans to move into sport programming.